Practical Insights on Sustainability

sustainability ict4d

Sustainability plays a critical role in international development programming, as it helps to ensure that the benefits of development initiatives are long-lasting and have a positive impact on communities and the environment.

Sustainable Development Programming

Sustainability in development programming means considering the economic, social, and environmental impacts of projects and taking steps to mitigate negative effects and promote positive outcomes. This includes considering the long-term viability of development initiatives and making sure that they don’t harm the environment, contribute to inequality, or rely on unsustainable resources.

Incorporating sustainability into development programming helps to create resilient communities that are better able to withstand future challenges such as climate change, economic shocks, and social and political instability. This in turn helps to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, which is critical for reducing poverty and achieving long-term development goals.

Sustainable Development Practices

  • Using renewable energy sources
  • Promoting sustainable agriculture practices
  • Developing environmentally friendly infrastructure
  • Investing in education and health care
  • Encouraging gender equality and empowering women and girls
  • Encouraging local ownership and participation in development initiatives

Incorporating sustainability into international development programming is essential for achieving long-term and impactful outcomes, and for building a better future for communities and the planet.

Want to Scale ICT4D Projects? Stop Developing Software!

Want to Scale ICT4D Projects? Stop Developing Software!

Published on: Mar 29 2013 by Wayan Vota - 5 Comments
Recently Priya Jaisinghani, Teressa Trusty, and I brought together a few folks to have an informal Technology Salon around the pertinent question of how can the...
6 Simple Guidelines for ICT4D Project Success

6 Simple Guidelines for ICT4D Project Success

Published on: Jul 16 2012 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
I am Ajay Kumar and after reflecting on some of my past ICT4D projects, and trying to study the thought process of some of the projects that I have worked on,...
Dead Ushahidi: A Stark Reminder for Sustainability Planning in ICT4D

Dead Ushahidi: A Stark Reminder for Sustainability Planning in ICT4D

Published on: Jul 09 2012 by Wayan Vota - 6 Comments
By now, you’ve heard of Ushahidi, the ICT4D darling for crowdsourcing map data. You also may suspect there is frothy hype around it, mapping, and GIS in...
Ten years later, telecenters are still not sustainable

Ten years later, telecenters are still not sustainable

Published on: Jun 27 2012 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Ten years later, telecenters are still not sustainable
In case you are wondering, telecenters are still not sustainable. A new research report, Public Access Computing in South Africa: Old Lessons and New Challenges,...
On Financial and Other Types of Sustainability in ICT4D Initiatives

On Financial and Other Types of Sustainability in ICT4D Initiatives

Published on: Mar 30 2012 by Linda Raftree - Comments Off on On Financial and Other Types of Sustainability in ICT4D Initiatives
I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the sustainability of ICT4D initiatives over the past couple months in preparation for a panel I participated in at ICTD...
10 Guidelines for Starting Your Independent ICT4D Project

10 Guidelines for Starting Your Independent ICT4D Project

Published on: Dec 07 2011 by Lindsay Poirier - Comments Off on 10 Guidelines for Starting Your Independent ICT4D Project
There is an infamous Catch-22 in starting a career in information and communications for technology. In order to earn a job in ICT4D, I need to have experience....
Telecentres are NOT sustainable!

Telecentres are NOT sustainable!

Published on: Jun 27 2011 by Michael Gurstein - 16 Comments
Almost since the very beginning of Telecentres/public access centres the nagging from funders – mostly governments but major NGO’s as well – has been...
The Key to Launching the Fee-For-Service Approach in Global mHealth

The Key to Launching the Fee-For-Service Approach in Global mHealth

Published on: Jun 17 2011 by Sarah Hiller - Comments Off on The Key to Launching the Fee-For-Service Approach in Global mHealth
Lately I’ve been researching the players in the mHealth industry in developing countries. Organizations using a fee-for-service approach offer a powerful vehicle...
HCI4D: The Emerging Discipline of Human Computer Interaction For Development

HCI4D: The Emerging Discipline of Human Computer Interaction For Development

Published on: Mar 07 2011 by Kelechi Edozie-Anyadiegwu - 9 Comments
The practice of Information and Communication Technology for Development enjoys a host of disciplines within the sector (m4d, health informatics, e-governance, etc),...
ICTworks Interview with Linda Raftree: Her views on ICT4D and Sustainability

ICTworks Interview with Linda Raftree: Her views on ICT4D and Sustainability

Published on: Feb 23 2011 by Kelechi Edozie-Anyadiegwu - 1 Comment
Linda Raftree is the Social Media and New Technology Advisor for the Plan West Africa Regional Office and also the ICT4D Technical Advisor for Plan USA. I caught...